Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunization for adults

General information
Measles (rubeola) is an acute viral infection that affects the respiratory tract and skin, sometimes causing serious or fatal complications. Mumps is an infection that creates painful swelling of the salivary glands. In adults, mumps may be complicated by sterility and deafness. Rubella (also known as German measles or three-day measles) is a viral infection that affects the skin and lymph glands. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella may cause birth defects or even death for the unborn baby.
Since the 1960s, the MMR vaccine has offered protection against these once common infections. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines are live vaccines made of weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses.


Recommendations
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all nonpregnant adults born in 1957 or later who haven't had these diseases or haven't been previously immunized. This is especially important for:
health care workers
international travelers
students (33 percent of adult measles infections occur in people ages 20 to 24 in places of congregation, such as schools)
nonpregnant women without immunity to these diseases
In addition, unvaccinated health care workers born before 1957 who don't have a history of measles or a positive test for rubella immunity should also be vaccinated.

Women who may become pregnant and have not been been vaccinated should be tested for immunity to rubella, even if born before 1957. If immunity cannot be confirmed, they should be vaccinated and avoid pregnancy for at least one month afterward.


Dose
The vaccine is given in one dose for immunity to all three diseases, but a second dose (given at least one month after the first) is recommended for health care workers, college students and international travelers. The vaccines may be given individually or in a combination of measles and rubella (MR) or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
If you're unvaccinated and exposed to the measles (rubeola) virus, receiving the vaccine within three days of exposure may prevent measles from developing. (This will not help with exposure to the mumps or rubella viruses.)


Effectiveness
The vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing all three diseases.

Side effects
Side effects are uncommon. When they occur, they usually become apparent one to three weeks later.
Delayed reactions, which may occur one to two weeks later, include:

fever of 101 to 103°F or higher, for two to three days
rash for one to two days
rarely, swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, cheeks or under the jaw
Other reactions may include:

mild pain and stiffness in one or more joints, beginning one to three weeks later and lasting three days or more (Occurs more common in adolescent and adult women.)
a temporary decrease in the number of platelets (thrombocytopenia) within two months
very rarely, an allergic reaction

Who should wait to receive the vaccine
The vaccine may be postponed if you:
have a moderate to severe acute illness
have ever had a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
have received a blood product containing an antibody (such as platelets, a blood transfusion or an immune globulin) within the last three to 11 months (depending on the product) or will receive such a product in the next two weeks
have untreated active tuberculosis

Who should not receive the vaccine
You should not receive the vaccine if you've had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin or a prior dose of the vaccine. Your doctor may not recommend these vaccines if your immune system is not functioning properly.

Pregnancy-specific information
These immunizations are not recommended if you're pregnant. Avoid pregnancy for at least one month after the MMR vaccine. If you're pregnant and not immune, the vaccine should be given immediately after delivery.